UK picks up the pace on glass recycling, says DEFRA

According to DEFRA, over 355,000 tonnes of glass were reprocessed or exported for reprocessing in the first quarter of 2006. This compares with 297,264 tonnes for the same period a year previous.

However, British Glass has warned that the growth of mixed collection is jeopardising the industry’s ability to further reduce emissions and save energy. Rebecca Cocking (pictured), British Glass recycling manager, said: “The container sector could absorb much higher tonnages of glass, but such growth can only come from the greater tonnages of clear and brown glass.”

“It is vitally important that we halt the move to mixed collection and maximise the amount of colour-separated glass. This will ensure that the glass packaging industry can maximise the amount of glass it recycles,” she added.

British Glass members recycled 216,713 tonnes of glass in the first three months of 2006, of which 94,681 tonnes was clear, 20,043 tonnes brown and 101,989 tonnes green.

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